Workers' Compensation
REG 04.20.4
Authority: Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business.
History: First Issued: 1985 Last Revised: February 13, 2008. Additional History Information.
Contact Info: Director of Benefits (919-515-4310)
1. Purpose
The purpose of the program is to ensure that all eligible employees who experience
a work related injury or illness receive appropriate medical care and equitable
benefits as provided under the Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers'
Compensation of the State Personnel Policy.
2. Policy Statement
The Workers' Compensation law provides medical benefits and disability compensation
including a weekly compensation benefit for time lost. The weekly benefit
is equal to 66 2/3 % of the average weekly earnings up to a maximum established
by the North Carolina Industrial Commission each year. When an employee is
injured, he/she must go on workers' compensation leave and receive workers'
compensation weekly benefits after the waiting period required by statute
(G. S. 97-28). If an employee refuses workers' compensation benefits, he/she
must sign a release statement.
3. Covered Employees
All University employees in pay status are covered under the State Government
Workers' Compensation Program, including full-time faculty, staff (SPA and EPA),
senior administrative officers, part-time employees, student employees, and
temporary employees (excluding those contracted by Temporary Agencies).
4. Responsibility
4.1. The North Carolina Industrial Commission was established by the North Carolina
General Assembly in 1929 to administer the Workers' Compensation Act. The
Act provides protection for workers and employers within North Carolina
against loss due to work-related injury or disease. The Industrial Commission
also has jurisdiction over claims against the state and claims by families
of law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and rescue squad workers.
4.2. The State of North Carolina contracts with a Third Party Administrator (TPA)
to handle the individual workers' compensation for the University System.
4.2.1. The TPA is responsible for accepting or denying liability for the State
and is also responsible for monitoring and processing the claims. Additionally,
the TPA is responsible to pay medical benefits and compensation in accordance
with the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act.
4.2.2.
Additionally, the TPA is responsible to pay medical benefits and compensation
in accordance with the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act.
4.3. The University's primary responsibility is to arrange for and provide for
the necessary treatment for any work related injury.
4.3.1. The University's Workers' Compensation Coordinator establishes the
procedures and processes to ensure injured employees receive the appropriate
level of care and compensation in accordance with State Law.
4.3.2. The University and the TPA try to provide the best possible medical care
for injured employees to help them reach maximum medical improvement and
return to work as soon as possible.
4.4. The responsibility for claiming compensation is on the injured employee.
Employees must report workplace injuries to their supervisor immediately.
The Workers' Compensation Act requires that an employee give written notice
to the employer within 30 days of accident or within 30 days of being diagnosed
as having a disease associated with employment. After 30 days no compensation
is payable without a ruling by the Industrial Commission.
5. Compliance:
5.1. The University Benefits Office shall be responsible for preparing guidelines
and instructions necessary and appropriate to ensure compliance with the
Workers' Compensation Act and the State adopted policy.
5.2. The University Benefits office will provide training and advice to managers
and supervisors to assure their understanding of the process and procedures.
5.3. The University Benefits Office shall communicate the policies and procedures
with all employees.
